In the depths of an uninhabited South American island, a breathtaking sight unfolded, the land, once a tropical paradise, was
now enveloped in a pristine blanket of ice and snow. Morgana Mirren, a formidable leader, guided Aemon through the vast
underground structure hidden beneath the island’s surface.
Together, they ventured deeper into the labyrinthine building, until they reached the heart of it all. There, nestled among the
rocks, lay a chamber sealed off from the outside world, with a single ventilation pipe acting as the sole connection to the Three
Elders of the Warriors Den who sought refuge within.
It was fascinating to realize that, unbeknownst to them, these three elders had journeyed across continents, tracing the footsteps
of the Warriors Den Society.
From the ancient lands of China, through the sprawling expanses of Australia, they had finally arrived in South America.
Throughout this odyssey, they had severed all ties with the outside world, their bodies cocooned in a shroud of aura, reducing
their metabolism to a near standstill.
Time slipped away from them, their isolation rendering them oblivious to the passage of years. The purity of their beings grew,
fueled by relentless attacks on the Soul Palace as they aimed to unlock its secrets.
As Morgana entered the chamber, she beheld three emaciated figures resembling skeletal mummies. Yet, she sensed an
immense and untapped power concealed within their withered frames.
They stood on the cusp of a breakthrough, mere steps away from entering the realm of the Soul Palace. One among them had
made astonishing progress, with no more than a decade of cultivation remaining before reaching this coveted realm.
Regret laced Morgana’s voice as she spoke, “If only you could endure another ten or twenty years, my dear Elders. At that point,
not only would you have shattered the barriers of the Soul Palace, but the entire world would bear witness to the Warriors Den’s
dominance. Alas, I must awaken you prematurely, that you may aid me in eradicating a formidable hidden enemy lurking in the
shadows.”
With a gathering of reiki at her fingertips, Morgana directed her intentions towards the three Elders, silently manipulating the
energy that surged forth.
Swiftly, the currents of reiki inundated their frail and waxen bodies, breathing life into them like the Rejuvenation of a withered
tree in the vernal embrace of spring.
After the passing of an incense stick’s worth of time, the eldest of the trio, appearing to be in his fifties, stirred awake. He glanced
at himself before fixing his gaze upon Morgana, disappointment fleeting across his features. However, that fleeting pang of
dissatisfaction dissipated in an instant, replaced by an unhesitating rise to his feet.
Bowing reverently, he exclaimed, “Your servant, Balin, pays homage to you Lady Morgana!”
The remaining two Elders also opened their eyes, disappointment flitting through their gazes as well. After a moment’s pause,
witnessing Balin’s obeisance, they too knelt.
“Your servant, Talix, pays homage to you!”
“Your servant, Varis, pays homage to you!”
Observing the flicker of disappointment in their awakening eyes, Morgana couldn’t help but remark, “You have all endured a
great tribulation during your seclusion of a hundred years.”
“A hundred years?” The three Elders exchanged incredulous glances, stunned by the realization that they had withdrawn from
the world for such a vast span of time.
Moreover, they had not anticipated that their century-long retreat would still leave them short of breaching the formidable barriers
guarding the Soul Palace.
Most unexpectedly of all, their imminent breakthrough was disrupted by the master of the Warrior’s Den untimely awakening.
Though disheartened, the Elders dared not reveal their internal struggles in Morgana’s presence. After all, they were
descendants of the Mirren family, descendants whom Morgana herself had inducted into the path of martial arts.
While it was unfortunate that their retreat had not culminated in the shattering of the Soul Palace, their wait for another decade or
two was but a fleeting span in the grand tapestry of time.
Thus, Balin respectfully spoke, “My Lady, you have awakened the three of us from our retreat. We presume that you have
entrusted us with a momentous task. It is an honor for us to bear your burdens. We pledge our lives to your service!”
The other two Elders echoed in unison, “We pledge our lives to you, Lady Morgana!”
Morgana found solace in their unwavering loyalty, deeming it a satisfactory response. She had imparted the teachings of the
Soul Palace to them, albeit with certain omissions. Even though their seclusion had spanned a century, their final breakthrough
would have been impossible without Morgana’s recent interventions.
Without her guidance, they would remain forever halted, despite standing on the precipice of the Soul Palace. Yet, at this
moment, the Elders remained blissfully unaware of their dependence on Morgana.
Thus, in Morgana’s eyes, it was crucial that their allegiance to her orders eclipsed their devotion to cultivation. She couldn’t afford
to unleash three unbridled forces once they transcended the barriers of the Soul Palace.
Addressing the Elders, Morgana spoke, “We are about to face formidable adversaries within the Warriors Den. Since your
retreat, Three of the Four Marshals I trained have perished and we have yet to ascertain the identities of our enemies.”
“Three!” The Elders exchanged grave glances, comprehending the imminent challenges that awaited them within the Warriors
Den. While they had expected obstacles in dismantling the Warriors Den, the extent of the forthcoming trials surpassed their
earlier estimates.
Without hesitation, Balin declared, “My Lord, the three of us willingly shoulder your burdens.”
Morgana nodded approvingly and stated, “Time is of the essence. Follow Aemon’s lead and make preparations. Within an hour,
a plane will transport you to Aurous Hill.”
She turned her attention to Aemon, gesturing towards the Elders and introduced, “Allow me to present Aemon, the eldest son of
Alaric.”
The Elders, taken aback by the revelation, were consumed by astonishment. Alaric Mirren stood as their eldest nephew and the
premier descendant of the Mirren family’s generation.
Through the ages, Morgana herself had personally nurtured the offspring of the Mirren lineage. It was inconceivable to them that
the nephew’s son had already reached the twilight of his life.
Aemon, recognizing their surprise, paid his respects with utmost reverence. “Aemon, grandson of the Mirren family, humbly
greets the three elders.”
Aware of their seclusion for a century, disconnected from the world’s current state, the Elders recognized the importance of
forging a bond with Aemon. Inevitably, they would require his assistance in the future, a realization that tempered their manners
and encouraged a more amiable and respectful approach.
After exchanging pleasantries, Morgana interjected, “We are all one family. We can reminisce later. For now, the three of you
must make your preparations under Aemon’s guidance. The journey will consume at least twenty hours, during which Aemon will
enlighten you regarding the world’s current state.”
Morgana turned to Aemon and inquired, “Aemon, can the Elders travel directly to Aurous Hill via plane?”
Aemon replied promptly, “My Lord, I have meticulously altered the Elder’s identity records every twenty years. I possess the
latest version of their passports. Rest assured, they shall encounter no hindrance when entering the country.”
“Very well!” Morgana’s countenance darkened as she issued a chilling command. “Hasten your departure! Once you reach
Aurous Hill, eliminate not only the Evans family but also any suspected adversaries! Leave no future threats alive!”
In unison, the four responded, “We obey your commands, My Lord!”
Read The Charismatic Charlie Wade - the best manga of 2020